Rotatable Support Device for Amusement Swing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement devices fail to provide a strong enough sensation for occupants due to limited rotational movements, primarily relying on a single axis of rotation and lack of complexity in motion.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a support device that is rotatable with respect to the carrier, allowing for three distinct rotations: about the swinging axis, the carrier's axis of rotation, and the support device's axis of rotation, enhancing the overall experience by varying the direction of the support device's rotation, which can be parallel or perpendicular to the carrier's axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support device is fixedly suspended from the carrier, then the structure is simple and stable, but the sensation for occupants is not strong enough

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinsufficient sensation intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is made rotatable with respect to the carrier about an axis of rotation that is directed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the carrier. This dynamic configuration allows the support device to perform additional rotational movements during operation, intensifying the sensation for occupants while maintaining structural reliability through controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the support device is rotatable with respect to the carrier, then the sensation for occupants is intensified, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensation intensityVSAvoidrotational mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational movement capability is segmented into distinct levels: the carrier rotates about its axis, and the support device rotates independently about a parallel axis. This segmentation of rotational degrees of freedom allows each component to perform its specific rotational function without requiring the entire system to be overly complex, achieving intensified sensation through modular rotational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple rotational movements are incorporated, then the motion becomes more dynamic and engaging, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion dynamicsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is designed with universal rotational capability about an axis parallel to the carrier's rotation axis. This multi-functional design allows the same structural configuration to achieve multiple rotational movements (carrier rotation plus support device rotation) without requiring entirely separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom, thereby enhancing motion dynamics while controlling manufacturing complexity through design universality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2517765B1Amusement device comprising a swing and rotatable seats
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 COBRA BEHEER
  • EP2517765B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2517765B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An amusement device comprises at least one swinging arm (5), one end of which is suspended so as to be rotatable about a swinging axis (4) and one free end of which is displaceable along at least a part of a circular path about the swinging axis. A carrier (7) is suspended from the free end of the swinging arm and is rotatable about an axis (8) of rotation transversely to the swinging axis. Furthermore, there is at least one support device (10) for at least one person which is suspended from the carrier at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof. The support device is rotatable with respect to the carrier.